Africa (Ghana): 205 Sacked NSS Staff Sue Government

205 recruits of the National Service Scheme whose appointments were terminated by the Secretariat have filed a suit at the Labour High Court challenging their dismissal.

Nss

The dismissed staff proceeded with the court action because they claim that there was no board in place to sanction the decision as required by the NSS Act.

However, State Attorneys on Monday asked the court for additional time to file their statement in opposition to the application and also sort leave to file an application for the whole suit to be dismissed because it lacks merit. The Labour Court granted their request and has subsequently adjourned the matter to the 5th of April 2017 for hearing.

The National Service Scheme on Wednesday [February 8. 2017] issued a statement announcing the revocation of the appointments of the 205 recruits.

The statement said, “the management of the National Service Scheme (NSS), has on the advice of the Minister of Education, withdrawn the National Service staff recruitment which was done in December 2016 with immediate effect.”

It added that, “This decision is informed by a thorough consideration of violations of due process prior to recruitment. These included petitions to the Public Services Commission (PSC) against the recruitment process upon which the PSC in a letter dated 16th November, 2016, advised the former Ag. Executive Director to halt the recruitment process until the matter was properly resolved.

This was however ignored and the appointment letters were issued to some persons on 15th December, 2016.”

It also urged the affected persons to look forward to another opportunity when it conducts a proper staff recruitment.

But the immediate past Executive director of the NSS, Dr Michael Kpessah Whyte who said the decision was wrong, urged the persons affected to go to court.

Court adjourns case of 205 dismissed NSS staff

The Accra High Court has adjourned a suit challenging the dismissal of 205 employees of the National Service Scheme (NSS) to April 5, 2017.

The court, presided over by Mrs Justice Gifty Dekyem, adjourned the case to allow the Attorney – General to file its response to the case.

Edwin Afetsi Kwashie, one of the sacked workers initiated the suit at the Labour Division of the Accra High Court.

He is seeking a declaration that his dismissal from the NSS was without just cause.

Also, he wants a declaration that NSS as a member of the public service lacks the authority to remove him from office without just cause.

The plaintiff is, therefore, seeking an order from the court reinstating him as an employee of the NSS.

Dismissal

In February this year, the NSS revoked the appointment of 205 employees, who were recruited in December 2016.

A statement signed by the Acting Director of the scheme, Ussif Mustapha, indicated that the appointment of the workers did not follow due process.

This decision has been informed by a thorough consideration of violations of due process prior to the recruitment, the statement said.

It added that Management wishes to advise persons affected by this decision to look forward to a new opportunity to have the staff recruitment properly carried out”

The Accra High Court has adjourned a suit challenging the dismissal of 205 employees of the National Service Scheme (NSS) to April 5, 2017.

The court, presided over by Mrs Justice Gifty Dekyem, adjourned the case to allow the Attorney – General to file its response to the case.